S.Res. 233: A resolution recognizing the importance of protecting freedom of speech, thought, and expression at institutions of higher education.

116th Congress · introduced 2019-06-05 · Education · Latest: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3262-3263; text: CR S3262)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2019-06-05 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3262-3263; text: CR S3262) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A resolution recognizing the importance of protecting freedom of speech, thought, and expression at institutions of higher education.

Plain summary

This resolution addresses free speech issues at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, it recognizes that free speech zones and restrictive speech codes of institutions of higher education are inherently at odds with the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. In addition, the resolution urges (1) IHEs to facilitate and recommit themselves to protecting the free and open exchange of ideas; (2) the Department of Education to promote policies that foster debate, academic freedom, intellectual curiosity, and viewpoint diversity on campuses of public IHEs; and (3) the Department of Justice to defend and protect the First Amendment across public IHEs.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

A Yea supports adopting this resolution.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A resolution recognizing the importance of protecting freedom of speech, thought, and expression at institutions of higher education.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] · 11 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] reported raising $3.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Resolution: A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Roll-call vote: A vote where each member's position is recorded by name, so the public can see how every member voted. "Yea" means yes, "Nay" means no, "Present" means the member was there but did not take a side.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-116sres233.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/116/sres>

Record fed-us-cong116-sres233 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116